A patient is being evaluated for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The ...

[Alygatorr01285]

A patient is being evaluated for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The nurse explains to the patient's adult children that
 
  a. the most important risk factor for AD is a family history of the disorder.
  b. new drugs have been shown to reverse AD dramatically in some patients.
  c. a diagnosis of AD is made only after other causes of dementia are ruled out.
  d. the presence of brain atrophy detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will confirm the diagnosis of AD.

Question 2

A patient who has severe Alzheimer's disease (AD) is being admitted to the hospital for surgery. Which intervention will the nurse include in the plan of care?
 
  a. Encourage the patient to discuss events from the past.
  b. Maintain a consistent daily routine for the patient's care.
  c. Reorient the patient to the date and time every 2 to 3 hours.
  d. Provide the patient with current newspapers and magazines.

[kardosa007]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
The diagnosis of AD is usually one of exclusion. Age is the most important risk factor for development of AD. Drugs may slow the deterioration but do not reverse the effects of AD. Brain atrophy is a common finding in AD, but it can occur in other diseases as well and does not confirm a diagnosis of AD.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Providing a consistent routine will decrease anxiety and confusion for the patient. Reorientation to time and place will not be helpful to the patient with severe AD, and the patient will not be able to read. The patient with severe AD will probably not be able to remember events from the past.

[Alygatorr01285]

TYSM

[Chelseyj.hasty]

Excellent